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A program to supply menstrual merchandise freed from cost in municipal buildings in all boroughs was introduced Thursday by Montreal Mayor Valérie Plante’s workplace and the chief committee.
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Following the success of a pilot undertaking introducing distributors of free menstrual merchandise in 4 metropolis buildings, in November 2022 the town applied the primary everlasting part of a plan to put in and inventory distributors of tampons and sanitary napkins in 42 of its public buildings.
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These buildings embrace group centres, libraries, arenas, some police stations and Espace pour la vie (the umbrella for the Biodôme, Biosphère, Insectarium, Botanical Backyard and Planetarium).
This system will now be obtainable in municipal buildings in all boroughs, the town introduced Thursday. The boroughs will be capable to purchase computerized distributors in addition to sanitary napkins and tampons. The merchandise might be obtainable at no cost to anybody who wants them, the town stated.
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“By making the Menstrual Product Accessibility Program obtainable in municipal buildings in all boroughs, we hope to encourage native groups to amass computerized distributors, in addition to mandatory menstrual merchandise, for buildings beneath their accountability,” stated Josefina Blanco, metropolis councillor for St-Édouard and govt committee member chargeable for variety, social inclusion, homelessness, accessibility and the standing of girls, youth and seniors.
This system represents “a concrete measure of social inclusion and gender equality,” she stated.
“Entry to menstrual hygiene merchandise is a necessary want. It’s a query of dignity and well being,” stated Despina Sourias, metropolis councillor for the Loyola district of Côte-des-Neiges—Notre-Dame-de-Grâce borough and govt committee affiliate councillor chargeable for the standing of girls, variety, youth and seniors. She stated an absence of entry to those merchandise is usually carefully linked to socio-economic insecurity and disproportionately impacts individuals in susceptible conditions, together with ladies who’re unhoused.
Most boroughs additionally provide subsidy applications for sustainable menstrual merchandise, corresponding to menstrual cups and reusable, washable sanitary napkins.
sschwartz@postmedia.com
Present free tampons, pads in metropolis buildings: Montreal opposition
